Andrew Metcalfe, secretary of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, will take up the role of head of ASIO from 1 July with current dep sec Bob Correll taking over as secretary of Immigration.

Kava imports have been banned as part of the Federal Government’s “Child abuse response”. I live in the mining town of Nhulunbuy in the NT — the only town selling alcohol in the East Arnhem Region. I am wondering what is going to happen when the Kava supplies run out and the hunger for a drug substitute begins. Kava was introduced years ago to help curb violence — as it is a depressant — the muscles of the body become “relaxed” and an intoxicated drinker is unable to do much other then sleep. Alchohol however has been responsible for the vast amount of violence and abuse in this region. Since Kava drinking is a response to disempowerment (ie. people drink it to avoid their reality) that will be still felt after it runs out, Nhulunbuy could soon become the wild west, not to mention the resultant violence in surrounding communities. Kava is consumed in all the surrounding communities by many individuals. Note: the ban will be welcomed by many Yolngu people, however my point is this may not be the best way to do it — cold turkey with other drugs at hand.